Mac Curtis Speedie (January 12, 1920 – March 5, 1993) was an American football end who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL) for seven years before joining the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Canada. He later served for two years as head coach of the American Football League's Denver Broncos. A tall and quick runner whose awkward gait helped him deceive defenders and get open, Speedie led his league in receptions four times during his career and was selected as a first-team All-Pro six times. His career average of 800 yards per season was not surpassed until two decades after his retirement, and his per-game average of 50 yards went unequalled for 20 years after he left the game. He was posthumously elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. After graduating from the University of Utah in 1942, where he starred on both the football and track teams, Mac Speedie enlisted in the Army during World War II and was stationed at Ft. Warren, Wyoming, for the duration of his service. Naturally, while at Ft. Warren, he continued to play football and was captain of the camp team.
Offered here is a game ball from Ft. Warren Broncos (Wyoming). Game ball from a Ft. Warren victory over a rival military team. The Spalding "Official Intercollegiate" football is lettered "Ft. Warren 1945 Ft. Warren 47 ___ Rangers 9 Mac Speedie Capt." in gold paint on a side panel. Two of the other three panels bear the black-ink signatures of his teammates. The ball is completely deflated and displays heavy wear, including abrasions, scuffs, and a few small tears.
This team featured several former and future NFL and AAFC football players.
This originates from his estate (comes with a copy of an auction LOA that this lot was a part of)
Item: 13020
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